Renewed War on Drugs, harsher charging policies, stepped-up criminalization of immigrants — in the current climate, joining the NACDL is more important than ever. Members of NACDL help to support the only national organization working at all levels of government to ensure that the voice of the defense bar is heard.
Take a stand for a fair, rational, and humane criminal legal system
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NACDL is committed to enhancing the capacity of the criminal defense bar to safeguard fundamental constitutional rights.
NACDL harnesses the unique perspectives of NACDL members to advocate for policy and practice improvements in the criminal legal system.
NACDL envisions a society where all individuals receive fair, rational, and humane treatment within the criminal legal system.
NACDL’s mission is to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal legal system, and redressing systemic racism, and ensuring that its members and others in the criminal defense bar are fully equipped to serve all accused persons at the highest level.
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The NACDL Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award recognizes an individual or group whose exceptional efforts have led toward progressive reform of a state criminal justice system.
NACDL's State Criminal Justice Network Newsletter features a snapshot of NACDL's state criminal justice priorities, as well as recent internal and external reports, information on upcoming events, webinars, current state legislative reform efforts, legislative tracking, action alerts and more! The newsletter is disseminated monthly via email.
Recording of Systemic Juror Exclusion: How States Continue to Disenfranchise Prospective Jurors Through Improper Policy Implementation, a webinar hosted by NACDL for Second Chance Month 2023.
The era of mass incarceration and the vast expansion of the nation’s criminal legal system over the past 50 years has produced a corresponding increase in the number of people with a criminal record. An estimated 77.7 million individuals – nearly 1 out of every 3 American adults – has a criminal record. At the same time, the collateral consequences of a conviction have become more severe and permanent, affecting virtually every aspect of an individual’s life. NACDL partners and advocates reflect on 50 Years of Mass Incarceration and their work to promote second chances in their communities.
Second Chance Videos 2023: Candace Snavely, Western Maryland Consortium
Second Chance Videos 2023: Coley Harris, Delaware Office of Defense Services
Second Chance Videos 2023: David Stewart, AHEC West Health Insurance Program
Second Chance Videos 2023: Kamau Sandiford, Safe & Just Michigan
Second Chance Videos 2023: LaQuita Honeysucker, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union
NACDL’s unique State Criminal Justice Network (SCJN) provides a medium to exchange information, share resources, and develop strategies for promoting rational and humane criminal justice policies. In addition, it seeks to educate the general public about the many issues that influence, and policies that affect the criminal justice system. As a result, the Network does not require membership in the organization.
To join the Network, go to nacdl.org/JoinSCJN.
On January 12, 2022, Sincere B. Allah was granted a conditional pardon by Governor Ralph Northam after 24 years of incarceration. Sincere and his attorney were paired through the Virginia Redemption Project, an initiative of NACDL's Return to Freedom Project.
Professor Katie Tinto recounts telling her client, Charlie Fragoso, that he was granted clemency after being incarcerated for over 30 years. Professor Tinto and her students worked through the Trial Penalty Clemency Project, an initiative of NACDL's Return to Freedom Project, to secure his release.
Daniel Gregory describes the day he learned that he was granted compassionate release after being incarcerated for 15 years. Daniel and his attorney were paired through the Excessive Sentence Project, an initiative of NACDL's Return to Freedom Project.
Kenneth Charles "Charlie" Fragoso describes the day he found out that he was granted clemency after over 30 years of incarceration. His attorney, Professor Katie Tinto, worked through the Trial Penalty Clemency Project, an initiative of NACDL's Return to Freedom Project, to secure his release.
In November 2021, just days before Thanksgiving, attorney Trevor Parkes found out that his client, Daniel Gregory, had been granted compassionate release after 15 years of incarceration. He had been paired with Daniel through the Excessive Sentence Project, an initiative of NACDL's Return to Freedom Project.